Coral Springs closer to law fining parents who allow teen drinking

May 6, 2012|By Lisa J. Huriash, Sun Sentinel

CORAL SPRINGS — If you allow teenagers to drink at a party at your house, be prepared to pay.

Coral Springs is closer to approving a civil ordinance that would fine adults for allowing underage drinking. If it passes, Coral Springs would be one of the few cities in the country — and possibly the only one in Florida — to have a city-driven drinking law.

"This law is meant to be a deterrent: I'm not going to have this party because I don't want these consequences," said Vice Mayor Tom Powers, who first sought the ordinance last winter.

There are criminal penalties already in place.

Florida's "open house party" law of 1991 had first-time offenders face up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine per incident. Last year, the law was toughened to put second-time offenders in jail for up to a year and a $1,000 fine.

But officials say the criminal charges are often thrown out of court because of insufficient evidence. Prosecutors must prove the adult hosts knew alcohol was being consumed by minors and did nothing to prevent it.

In the city's proposed ordinance, the person cited does not need to be at the gathering to be held accountable, making the law broader.

Officials recently considered a $500-per-child fine, with no maximum, but decided that was too high. City Commissioner Vince Boccard said that was unreasonable.

"Are we trying to be a police state?" he asked.

City Attorney John J. Hearn said he will present a modified proposal that seeks a $250 fine per child, with a maximum of $2,500.

Exceptions would be allowed for religious ceremonies or activities, and private exchanges between underage youth and their parents such as when a parent allows a "teen [to] have a taste of wine with pizza," Powers said.

Hearn said nine other municipalities across the country have "social host" ordinances to fine adults who allow underage drinking. That includes cities in Wisconsin, California and New Jersey.